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Save Me, O Lord, In Your Kindness

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Jeremiah faces much opposition from the people. Note the line: “And so, let us destroy him by his own tongue; let us carefully note his every word.” Sound familiar? Much like the political climate today. Opposition to a political figure will find whatever that person has said, past or present, to tear them down. It was no different in Jeremiah’s time or throughout human history.

Jeremiah’s prayer, however, is wonderful: “Heed me, O Lord…Remember that I stood before you to speak on their behalf, to turn away your wrath from them.” Jeremiah does not pray for their destruction because of the opposition. Instead, he prays that God will spare them despite their evil intentions.

The prayer of Jeremiah shows much love for the people of Judah, much the same say Jesus continued to show love toward the Sons of Zebedee, rather than rebuke them, or their mother, for her request for her sons to be among the greatest at the Lord’s table. Neither she nor her sons understood what it would mean to be at the Lord’s table. It meant to suffer as Jesus would suffer. This is how one becomes great in the eyes of God. Not by human standards, but by God’s standards. Where have we heard this before? All through the Gospels.

The apostles would someday come to know that they would suffer great pain for their belief in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God.  We sometimes also suffer for our faith. In many parts of the world, Christians are physically persecuted. In our own country, it seems Christians are being looked down upon and vilified for our beliefs. Since when has the Gospel of Jesus, the Gospel of love or one another, become the enemy civilization? It is hard to imagine for those of us who have lived long lives and grew up in the day when Christianity was the standard, not on the outside fringe.

The question all of us must ask is this: How do we continue to show the world that the teachings of Jesus are the only way the world will be saved? That our love for everyone and the salvation of their souls is primary? Well, let’s look again, to Jesus: “Rather, whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Ransom = freedom. Many = all.

The season of Lent is the perfect time to look into our hearts to find that kernel of truth hiding among the weeds of pride. The truth that only when we serve others, can we be among the greatest in the eyes of Jesus. In the Gospel, Jesus uses the word slave. It is not “slave” in the sense we understand today, but rather the “slave of love” to another. Voluntary slavery to serve the greater good. In my 70 years of life, I am quite amazed that many people still do not understand that living by the Gospel, the Commandments, and the Beatitudes, brings about peace. Instead, today we seem intent on sowing the seeds of true slavery to the whims of the world. Please don’t fall into this trap!

If there is hope in all of this, it is that Lent, every year, calls us to examine our hearts and where we stand with Jesus. Even the smallest change in our lives will blossom. The seeds planted in our souls and cannot be eradicated. They will remain there until we commit to growing in love and service.

“You will free me from the snare they set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands, I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, O Lord, O faithful God.  Save me, O Lod, in your kindness.”

God Bless

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Jeanne Penoyar, an Accounts Manager at Diocesan, is a Lector at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Grand Rapids, MI. Jeanne has worked in parish ministry as an RCIA director, in Liturgy, and as a Cantor. Working word puzzles and reading fill her spare time. Jeanne can be reached at jpenoyar@diocesan.com.

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Climbing Up By Bowing Down

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“All their works are performed to be seen.” Do you know people like this? It seems they live as if a camera were constantly on, and they are always “performing.” Because their attention is only on themselves and they are marinating in compliments and attention, their company is not very enjoyable. The sad truth is that they aren’t truly happy, because they know that the compliments and attention they receive have come through subtle manipulation, not sincerity.

You may also know people who are actively doing good and serving others, but it seems they talk too much about all the good they do and fail to acknowledge the good of others. Their “good deeds” are waved like a banner of virtue-signaling to announce that others just don’t care as much as they do. They are propping up their own egos with their list of charitable works.

We have all experienced the desire for recognition, praise, even admiration; this is part of our fallen human nature. And while true good deeds should certainly be acknowledged, we make ourselves the recipient of our own “gift” if we give so that we receive praise from others! When the desire for recognition is the basis of our choices and actions, we are slaves to the opinions of others, sometimes to the point of protecting our sense of superiority by humiliating others.

Jesus came to set us free. Free from sin, error, and our dependence on the opinions of others. Free to recognize Truth, to love fully. Truly free.

He tried to win over the Pharisees and help them to freedom, but they were enslaved by their pride. So Jesus points out the dangers of their position and maneuvering: they were very attached to what others thought of them and in a position to manipulate those opinions. It was a dangerous game, and they were in a bad place. They were the elite of God’s people, but by glorying in their own sense of superiority, they blinded themselves so that they could not even recognize the Messiah among them.

Jesus contrasts this attitude with the attitude his own followers must have: to see each person as a brother in Christ, to serve all others rather than maneuvering to be served, to humble ourselves even in our good works and successes! Because every success comes from using the talents that have been given to us in circumstances that are largely beyond our control, not from ourselves alone. We are not here to make a name for ourselves, but to glorify God’s Name.

Jesus teaches us that if we promote and protect and prefer ourselves and prop ourselves up on the opinions of others, we will ultimately be humbled by the truth. But if we willingly recognize the truth of what we are and seek God’s will for our lives, we will reach the exalted place which He has prepared for us. The way to climb up to God is to bow down.

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Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is married to Robert, Station Manager for Holy Family Radio. Together they have seven children (including newly ordained Father Rob and seminarian Luke ;-), and two grandchildren. She is a Secular Discalced Carmelite and has published five books and many articles. Over the last 25 years, she has worked as a teacher, headmistress, catechist, Pastoral Associate, and DRE. Currently, she serves the Church as a writer and voice talent for Catholic Radio, by publishing and speaking, and by collaborating with the diocesan Office of Catechesis, various parishes, and other ministries to lead others to encounter Christ and engage their faith. Her website is https://www.kathryntherese.com/.

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Let it Shine

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It’s March in Michigan and the sun is shining. The bright blue sky, the amazing lightness is almost a shock to the system. Somehow as winter ends, you don’t really realize how much the clouds, the day to day living under the grey lack of light has impacted your psyche, your whole self all the way down to your toes. You don’t realize it, until all of a sudden the sun returns, the world brightens and without even realizing it was weighed down, your heart feels airy and fresh. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is announcing a similar shock to the system. In a world where behavior is predicated on how others treat us or what we think we can get from them, Jesus turns everything around and shows us how we have been living in the lack of light.

You don’t want to be judged? Then don’t judge.
You don’t want to be condemned? Then don’t condemn others.
You want to be forgiven? Then forgive.
You desire gifts to be given? Then give gifts to others. 

Not only will these things be given to you, they “will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing.” Not only that, it will be poured into your lap! You don’t have to go after it, it will come to you!

How? By giving to others. By forgiving. By refusing to judge. By refusing to condemn. 

Here we are in the Second Week of Lent. We are called to fast. We have given up the stuff of this world, in order to make room in our hearts for the glory and love of the next world. Today’s readings show us that we don’t have to wait. We can have the beginnings of heaven, right here, right now. In the midst of our penance, our sorrow, our journey, Jesus tells us how to receive His love now. True love is not dependent on behavior or what others do, true love loves. Period. End of sentence. 

Just like the spring sunshine lifts our hearts, Jesus’s mercy lifts our souls. He loves us, fully completely. Not just us collectively, he loves you individually, fully, completely and totally. He sees you. He sees what you are willing to give up for him and no matter how meager, (seriously, what is my giving up added sugar compared to the immensity of eternity?). He takes what you give him and gives it back, good measure, packed together, shaken and overflowing. 

So what are we being called to? As we proceed through Lent, through the Soup Suppers, parish missions, prayers, Stations, almsgiving and fasting, let’s open up our hearts to the Father’s love. It is a love so strong, so active, so personal and powerful that he became the personification of love by leaving heaven and dying on a cross. For you. For me. For every person we meet. We are called to conversion. We are called to step out into the “sonshine” and let it overwhelm us with the Father’s love. That changes everything.

Lenten blessings to you all!

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Sheryl delights in being the number 1 cheerleader and supporter for her husband, Tom who is a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Kalamazoo. They are so grateful for the opportunity to grow together in this process whether it is studying for classes, deepening their prayer life or discovering new ways to serve together. Sheryl’s day job is serving her community as the principal for St. Therese Catholic School in Wayland, Michigan. Since every time she thinks she gets life all figured out, she realizes just how far she has to go, St. Rita of Cascia is her go-to Saint for intercession and help. Home includes Brea, a Bernese Mountain dog and Carlyn, a very, very goofy Golden Retriever.

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Blessed Are They

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Today is a very special day for our family. It is the first time we will be able to celebrate a birthday with a new family member we have just met. So many years that seemed lost are now being caught up in just a few months. Some of us wonder how we ever got along without her. We are amazed at her joy, her generosity and her drive. She has given us the impetus to better ourselves, to break through barriers and to achieve what we once thought impossible. Truly a ray of sunshine in our otherwise dull lives. Now we can rejoice on this day instead of wonder, celebrate instead of suffer.

In just a few days, we also celebrate my oldest son’s birthday, the one who made me a mommy. I cannot even begin to tell you how long I waited for that day. After being a missionary in my late teens and early 20’s, I just assumed that God would bring me a husband right away, since I had given these tender years to Him. Boy, was I wrong! I had to endure 11 long years of ups and downs, difficult lessons as a result of wrong decisions, mixed with plenty of travel, work experience and life-long friendships. Finally, God led me to the love of my life and less than a year later we were holding our first son in our arms. What an amazing and undeserved gift.

Realizing all I have received in these two people definitely make the words of the First Reading come alive: “you are to be a people peculiarly his own, as he promised you…you will be a people sacred to the Lord, your God, as he promised.” (from DT 26) God has chosen to make me His own. He has chosen to love me in a peculiar, specific, singular way. He does not love me in the same way He loves anyone else. He does not shower the same blessings on me as He does anyone else. He loves me in the way my heart needs to be loved.

He loves me so much that I am sacred to Him. He holds me in a tender, delicate and holy way. And all of this is fulfilling His promise, His promise to never let me falter, lack or want. He did not promise there would be no suffering, but with that suffering there is always a lesson learned, or a good fruit that sprouts forth. He promises to love me and be with me always.

Lord, grant me the strength and conviction to always observe your statues, commandments and decrees. May I hearken to your voice so that I might walk in your ways and thus proclaim with the Psalmist: “Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!”

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Tami grew up in Western Michigan, a middle child in a large Catholic family. She spent early young adulthood as a missionary in Mexico, studying theology and philosophy, then worked and traveled extensively before finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Western Kentucky. She loves tackling home improvement projects, finding fun ways to keep her four boys occupied, quiet conversation with the hubby and finding unique ways to love. She works at Diocesan, is a guest blogger on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net, runs her own blog at https://togetherandalways.wordpress.com and has been doing Spanish translations on the side for almost 20 years.

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The Friday of the First Week of Lent

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I had no understanding of what it meant to fast or what Lent was really all about as a child. The crucifix and painting of Jesus were covered with purple cloth in my grandparents’ house and at church. We didn’t eat meat on Fridays. That was about it.

I do have many memories of eating fish sticks, tuna noodle casserole, grilled cheese & tomato soup or creamed peas on toast, on many Fridays during my youth. My favorite meals were when we had a dinner of pancakes or waffles. There were no parish fish frys available where we lived or in any of the communities to which we moved during my childhood.

Today, I understand more about the universal Church, Lent, sacrifice and penance. I really like how the Catholic Bishops of Ireland describe penance:

“Penance is an essential part of the lives of all Christ’s faithful. It arises from the Lord’s call to conversion and repentance. We do penance: in memory of the passion and death of the Lord, as a sharing in Christ’s suffering, as an expression of inner conversion, and as a form of reparation for sin.

Fridays hold a day of special intention during our Lenten journey. Some suggestions for penance to be done on Fridays include:

Abstaining from meat or some other food
Abstaining from alcoholic drink or smoking
Making a special effort at involvement in family prayer
Making a special effort to participate in Mass on Fridays
Visiting the Blessed Sacrament
Making the Stations of the Cross
Fasting from all food for a longer period than usual and perhaps giving what is saved to those in need
Helping the poor, sick, old, or lonely.”  

Pope Francis  reminds us in his Lenten message that prayer is very important during Lent, as it is an expression of our need to respond to God’s love which sustains us. Through our prayer, a dialog with God develops and our hearts are softened to help convert us to His will. Jesus’s passion, the Way of the Cross, is a way I can enter into sharing the journey with Christ who willingly accepted the Cross for my sinfulness and for yours.

The Stations of the Cross have been a great comfort to me during my own times of challenging life situations, through sickness, marital strife, job and financial insecurity, tragedy. Set aside some time to spend praying one of the Stations of the Cross listed below. May they lead you to a more open dialog with God as you continue on your Lenten journey.

Stations by Lebanese Young People led by Pope Francis at the Colosseum

youtube Stations of the Cross

Knights of Columbus Traditional & Modern Stations

USCCB Scriptural Stations of the Cross

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Beth is part of the customer care team at Diocesan. She brings a unique depth of experience to the group due to her time spent in education, parish ministries, sales and the service industry over the last 25 yrs. She is a practicing spiritual director as well as a Secular Franciscan (OFS). Beth is quick to offer a laugh, a prayer or smile to all she comes in contact with. Reach her here bprice@diocesan.com.

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Prayer of Faith

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I have been reflecting a lot about prayer lately. Is there a correct way to pray, a prayer that reaches God faster, a type of prayer that cuts through all the human imperfection and distraction and more easily puts us in the presence of God?

Of course, there is no one size fits all answer to how to pray; what form or method is used. I think there is, however, a one size fits all answer to the virtue we should have when we commune with God, and that is faith.

I think there are different levels of faith, obviously by simply praying, we are acknowledging that God is there and this in itself is an act of faith. But then you have faith like we hear Queen Esther had in the first reading. When was the last time you or I prayed with this kind of intense faith? I know for me it has been too long.

It’s this level of faith that Jesus also talks about in the Gospel. He wants us to ask bold things of him; he wants us to expect miracles, aren’t miracles exactly the sort of thing we should expect from God?

All too often, we put God in a box and say things like, “Well, he will either say yes or he will give you something else you need more.” While there may be some truth to that, it disposes us immediately to doubt that God will answer the needs we have. We instantly think well what I am praying for may not be in God’s will. But here we have Jesus telling us to ask, and we see the result of this faith in Queen Esther. During this time of Lent, let’s be bold with God. Let’s ask for big things and expect big things to happen. God Bless!

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Tommy Shultz is Director of Evangelization for the North Allegan Catholic Collaborative and the founder of Rodzinka Ministries. In these roles, he is committed to bringing all those he meets into a deeper relationship with Christ. Tommy has a heart and a flair for inspiring people to live their faith every day. He has worked in various youth ministry, adult ministry, and diocesan roles. He has been a featured speaker at retreats and events across the country. His mission and drive have been especially inspired by St. John Paul II’s teachings. Tommy is blessed to be able to learn from the numerous parishes he visits and pass that experience on in his presentations. With a degree in Theology from Franciscan University, Tommy hopes to use his knowledge to help all people understand the beauty of The Faith.

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Something Greater Than Jonah

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Have you ever been one to think, “I just don’t get much out of the Mass.” “Why can’t Jesus just walk on earth today with us?” “Where are the signs that God even exists?”

I think if we are honest with ourselves, no matter how holy we are or how many daily rosaries we recite, we have probably at one point or another had trouble with some aspect of faith. I know I have. The faith can be hard sometimes because we want assurance and proof of the things we believe. Even the Church admits this fact. In the Tantum Ergo, the song we sing during adoration, we hear, “Faith will tell us Christ is present when our human senses fail.” Mother Church, in all of her wisdom, knows that The Faith is hard to believe at times.

It was hard to believe during the time of the prophet Jonah as well. In the first reading, we hear of a land that has given themselves over to sin; their faith has weakened them to the point that they no longer believe they need God. They treat him as a distant being that doesn’t care if he exists at all, and they persist in their sinful ways. We all know the story of Jonah. He is swallowed by the whale because he doubts God, and then is spit out and goes to preach to the Ninevites about the power of God. He is the sign that allows them to break their sinful ways and turn to the Lord.

Fast forward to today. Remember when I asked if we have ever struggled with doubt? Well, the reality of the Gospel today is that we don’t have Jonah as a sign, we have Christ himself. Christ literally walked this earth, ate food, played with friends, built things with his hands, and ultimately died on a cross for us. The historical evidence for Jesus is staggering, but beyond that, he promised to stay with us in the Eucharist. If a story about a fish was enough for the Ninevites to turn from their sinful ways, what are we waiting for? We have Christ himself. We have the one that Jonah could only prophesy about.

The faith can be difficult to believe at times because of our own weakness, but it’s in times like these that we should lean all the more on Christ. We should ask for the grace of faith. We should ask for a faith that is able to move mountains. And when this faith is given, our personal faith comes alive. Not because we heard a story about a fish, or a kid slaying a giant, or man being healed, but because we have experienced the Lord. We have felt him. We have touched him, and he has touched our hearts. I encourage you during this Lenten season, to allow Jesus to be the sign that transforms you and turns you from your sinful ways. God Bless and know of my prayers for you.

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Tommy Shultz is Director of Evangelization for the North Allegan Catholic Collaborative and the founder of Rodzinka Ministries. In these roles, he is committed to bringing all those he meets into a deeper relationship with Christ. Tommy has a heart and a flair for inspiring people to live their faith every day. He has worked in various youth ministry, adult ministry, and diocesan roles. He has been a featured speaker at retreats and events across the country. His mission and drive have been especially inspired by St. John Paul II’s teachings. Tommy is blessed to be able to learn from the numerous parishes he visits and pass that experience on in his presentations. With a degree in Theology from Franciscan University, Tommy hopes to use his knowledge to help all people understand the beauty of The Faith.

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Whose Kingdom is it? Who is in Control?

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We probably say the Lord’s Prayer at least once a day. These words are part of our Christian “DNA.”But do we really KNOW what we are praying?

Father, “hallowed be THY Name.” Not mine. I am not here to make a name for myself; I am here to glorify YOUR holy Name, a name the Chosen People dared not pronounce. You alone are holy, and I glorify Your holy Name.

“THY Kingdom come.” I am here to do my part in YOUR Kingdom, to work to establish YOUR Kingdom, not build my own little fiefdom, not maneuver myself into a place of power or influence or adulation, not to be in control of things. The world is Yours, and I am here to help turn it toward You.

“THY will be done.” I am here to do not MY will, but YOURS. Not just accept Your will, but to actively do Your will “as it is in heaven”…joyfully, promptly, perfectly.  You make all things work together for good, You choreograph every step of ours, if only we sincerely resolve to seek and do Your will.

“Give us this day our daily bread.” Give us today, Lord, all that we need for today. Give us our physical sustenance, our spiritual Food, provide for our psychological and emotional needs, give us the grace we need for this moment. We trust that You have always provided, You can provide, You will provide, because You are a good Father.

“Forgive us our trespasses,” in Your great mercy, “as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Your mercy is freely given, but it has metaphysical conditions for receiving it! Jesus tells us that IF we forgive others, the Father will forgive us. But if we do NOT forgive others, then the Father is, in some mysterious way, prevented from forgiving us. This is a deep mystery, as God’s love IS mercy. And yet, if we refuse to forgive others, we are locked up inside a sealed box of resentment, and God’s mercy cannot penetrate it from the outside. We have to release the latch from the inside! What a terrible freedom we have: our willfulness and determination to hold a grudge and refuse to forgive can even thwart the love and mercy of God Himself! But, on the other hand, if we willingly let go of our anger and resentment, God will forgive us freely and fully.

“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Guide our ways, Lord, so that we avoid occasions of sin, and keep us safe from the pervasive darkness. Free us from all that holds us down – our woundedness, blindness, attachments, confusions – so that we dance in the light of Your Spirit, trusting in Your Providence and Love! In this way, we will walk steadily in Your way, the way that leads to Your very Heart, our Home.

“For Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, now and forever. Amen!”

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Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is married to Robert, Station Manager for Holy Family Radio. Together they have seven children (including newly ordained Father Rob and seminarian Luke ;-), and two grandchildren. She is a Secular Discalced Carmelite and has published five books and many articles. Over the last 25 years, she has worked as a teacher, headmistress, catechist, Pastoral Associate, and DRE. Currently, she serves the Church as a writer and voice talent for Catholic Radio, by publishing and speaking, and by collaborating with the diocesan Office of Catechesis, various parishes, and other ministries to lead others to encounter Christ and engage their faith. Her website is https://www.kathryntherese.com/.

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Me; A Goat, A Sheep, A Sinner?

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Yes, is my answer to all three of the above. The readings today are a reminder of the importance of self vigilance in our lives. 

The first reading has Moses listening to the Lord, giving him the ten commandments. The responsorial psalm tells us the Lord’s words are Spirit and life. Then, in today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the Apostles that the Lord will separate the sheep from the goats, judging the goats as those who do not recognize Him in the world through others and because of our own biases. 

I, alone, am responsible for my words, my actions, and inactions, my bias and blindness.

I am so very thankful that I have the teachings of the Church, His Word in the bible, food in the Eucharist, and forgiveness of my sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation available almost in a blink of an eye. It’s all there for me, but it is still up to me to take the time to access these gifts and graces from God.

Lent is a great time to examine your conscience and make greater use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We don’t want to be like a goat that jumps around, chewing on things that aren’t good for us, and butting heads with those around us. Take two minutes and check out the links below for an examination of conscience to reflect on before your next confession. Set a date in your calendar, add it to your to-do list, or myParish app on your phone or tablet, and go to confession soon. 

Why? Today’s verse before the Gospel tells us, “now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2Cor 6:2B

Examination of Conscious based on the Commandments

Examination based on the Beatitudes

Examination by Pope Francis’ reflection on the beatitudes in “Gaudete et Exsultate”

Blessed is She Examination 

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Beth is part of the customer care team at Diocesan. She brings a unique depth of experience to the group due to her time spent in education, parish ministries, sales and the service industry over the last 25 yrs. She is a practicing spiritual director as well as a Secular Franciscan (OFS). Beth is quick to offer a laugh, a prayer or smile to all she comes in contact with. Reach her here bprice@diocesan.com.

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Fasting and Praying

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Today, we hear three different readings, all touching on the drama of salvation. I say drama because it truly can be read as a drama, and as any actor will tell you, it’s important to enter into the drama to know your place in it and how you are to act.

First, we hear how Adam and Eve fell in the garden after being given everything. Their ultimate sin was not so much eating the fruit, as it was not believing that God wanted what was best for them. They doubted God’s love and put trust in themselves, putting themselves in place of God. Second, we hear of Christ coming and saving us all, dying for our sins so we can gain back eternal life. Third, we hear about how Jesus himself was tempted in the desert and used scripture to ward off the temptation of the devil.

I want to focus mainly on the fact that Adam and Eve distrusted God and that Jesus fasted and prayed. These two things contrast quite heavily. Adam and Eve essentially start to believe that they don’t need God, that they can do better themselves, that God is holding out. In contrast, Jesus, the Son of God, knows the importance of prayer and fasting and gives us the perfect example.

So why does Jesus ask us to fast and pray during this time and even give us an example of it? It’s because fasting allows us to see that we rely on God. When we give up more and more things in our life, we start to realize how dependant we actually are on our loving God and how much he truly cares and will provide.

When we fast and pray, we are able to die to ourselves a little and enter deeper into a relationship with our loving God. This makes fasting something beautiful, not just a chore we have to do as Catholics. The more we deny ourselves, the deeper we rely on the love of God, and he is always there to provide. As we enter into the First Sunday of Lent together, I challenge us all to take the fasting seriously this Lent and allow ourselves to lean a little more on our loving Father. God Bless!

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Tommy Shultz is Director of Marketing for Ablaze ministries as well as Director of Evangelization for the North Allegan Catholic Collaborative. In these roles he is committed to bringing all those he meets into a deeper relationship with Christ. Tommy has a heart and a flair for inspiring people to live their faith every day. He has worked in various youth ministry, adult ministry, and diocesan roles. He has been a featured speaker at retreats and events across the country. His mission and drive have been especially inspired by St. John Paul II’s teachings. Tommy is blessed to be able to learn from the numerous parishes he visits and pass that experience on in his presentations. Contact him at tshultz@diocesan.com.